DC policy shift on sanctuary status

A policy shift in Washington DC allows police to cooperate more fully with federal immigration authorities, prompting legal pushback from city leaders.

Bondi expands cooperation with federal immigration agents in DC

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive that removes strict limits on how DC police can cooperate with federal immigration agencies, effectively reversing sanctuary policies in the capital for the time being. The move coincides with a broader federal crackdown on immigration enforcement, including the deployment of National Guard troops and agents from agencies like ICE and the DEA. Bondi named Terry Cole, head of the DEA, as emergency police chief in DC under a 30-day emergency power framework.

Local officials, led by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office and the district's attorney general, Brian Schwalb, challenged the move, arguing it may not be authorized by federal law and that officers should follow local orders. Schwalb emphasized that police are bound to the mayor’s directives and not to directives from officials not appointed by the city. The clash highlights a struggle over DC's home rule and the scope of federal influence as the city navigates this high-profile crackdown.

The shift tests the balance between local governance and federal authority in a setting that is supposed to protect local autonomy. If federal power can override city policies through emergency declarations or directives, it could reshape how communities interact with immigration enforcement and who bears responsibility for public safety. The immediate effect may be uncertainties on the ground and concerns among immigrant communities about trust in local police.

Politically, the move signals a clear push from the Trump administration to project control over border-related enforcement in the nation’s capital. Legal challenges are likely as district leaders question the legality of the order and the jurisdictional boundaries of home rule. The episode could become a test case for sanctuary policy debates in other cities and for how federal and local authorities coordinate during emergencies.

Highlights

The balance between local governance and federal power will be tested in courts and communities.